Search for auto theft suspect prompts school lockdowns in La Puente

LA PUENTE >> Officials briefly placed Sierra Vista Middle School and Del Valle Elementary on lockdown Wednesday afternoon as they arrested one suspect and sought another who fled from a stolen car following a crash, officials said.

One suspect was quickly detained following the crash, while a second remained at large, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. Rick Thurlo said.

The incident kicked off shortly after 12:30 p.m. when deputies responded to a car that had crashed into two parked cars near Mulvane Street and Ballista Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. Rick Thurlo said.

One man was quickly arrested near the car, Thurlo said. But a second suspect managed to run off.

Deputies set up a search perimeter to hunt for the outstanding auto theft suspect, placing the two schools on lockdown for about 15 minutes, Thurlo said.

The search was ultimately called off, and the fleeing suspect remained at large.

Deputies described him as a white man with blond hair, about 5 feet 11 inches tall and 150 pounds.

The identity of the man who was arrested was not immediately available.